Patrice Rene (born November 19, 1997) is a Haitian professional Canadian football defensive back for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Patrice Rene
No. 24     BC Lions
Rene with the BC Lions in 2024
Born: (1997-11-19) November 19, 1997 (age 26)
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusNational
Position(s)Defensive back
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight206 lb (93 kg)
UniversityRutgers
North Carolina
High schoolEpiscopal High
CFL draft2021, round: 3, pick: 21
Drafted byWinnipeg Blue Bombers
Career history
As player
2022Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2023–presentBC Lions
Career stats

College career

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Rene originally committed to playing for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in 2016, but changed to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after Rutgers underwent a coaching change prior to his arrival.[1][2] He played college football for the Tar Heels from 2016 to 2020, while using a redshirt season in 2019 due to an ACL injury.[2][3][4] He played in 45 games, starting in 26, where he had 103 total tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.[5]

After finishing his degree, Rene transferred to Rutgers University, as he originally intended, to complete a master's degree.[1][2] While playing for the Scarlet Knights, he dressed in five games and recorded eight tackles.[5]

Professional career

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers

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Rene was drafted in the third round, 21st overall, by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2021 CFL Draft.[1] However, he completed his college eligibility that year and signed with the team for the following season on May 4, 2022.[6] Following training camp in 2022, he began the season on the team's practice roster.[7] He then made his professional debut in week 12, on August 25, 2023, against the Calgary Stampeders, but was injured on a kickoff and was out for the remainder of the season.[5][8] He was later released shortly after the end of the season on December 2, 2022.[9]

BC Lions

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On May 5, 2023, Rene signed with the BC Lions.[10] He made the team's opening day active roster in 2023, primarily playing on special teams.[11] He played in 16 regular season games where he recorded 12 special teams tackles.[4]

Personal life

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Rene was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to parents Marie and Pierre and has three brothers and one sister.[1] His family later moved to Ottawa, Ontario, where he grew up.[12] Rene played his high school football at Episcopal High School in Virginia where he played for head coach Panos Voulgaris.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Draft Profile | Patrice Rene". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. May 13, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Patrice Rene's 'full circle' journey finally brings him to Rutgers". Rutgers Scarlet Knights football. June 7, 2021.
  3. ^ "Patrice Rene". Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Patrice Rene". BC Lions. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "B.C. Lions sign Canadian cornerback Patrice Rene, four others". 3DownNation. May 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "Bombers sign trio of players including '21 Draft pick Patrice Rene". Canadian Football League. May 4, 2022.
  7. ^ "Bombers trim down roster, name practice squad ahead of Week 1". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. June 4, 2022.
  8. ^ "Bombers sign trio of players including '21 Draft pick Patrice Rene". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. May 4, 2022.
  9. ^ "Bombers cut Canadian defensive backs Malcolm Thompson, Patrice Rene". 3DownNation. December 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "Lions sign five including former Winnipeg draft pick Patrice Rene". BC Lions. May 11, 2022.
  11. ^ "Game Notes" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  12. ^ "5 Ottawa-raised players set to blitz NFL draft". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. February 12, 2022.
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